Update as of 12/10/2019 at 11:25 a.m: On Monday, Dec. 9, City Council passed Ordinance 2952-2019, putting proposed changes to city code and Area Commissions into effect. One proposed change, the capping of the number of Area Commissioners on one commission to 17, was omitted as a result of public feedback.
Columbus’ Department of Neighborhoods has proposed changes to city code, which will affect the work of Area Commissions.
Today, Monday, Dec. 2, City Councilmember and Neighborhoods Committee Chair Rob Dorans will host a public hearing on the proposed changes in Council Chambers. Council will gather feedback on the changes, which represent an effort to modernize and support the work of commissions.
The proposed changes include the standardization of area commissioner terms to three years, a cap on the number of Area Commission members to 17 (now omitted) and the designation of the Department of Neighborhoods as the primary source to Area Commissions.
“We are grateful to the service and leadership of our Area Commissioners. It’s our goal to support and uplift their work to improve life for everyone in our community,” said Dorans.
The department’s proposed code changes are the result of two years of feedback, as well as the council’s recent Area Commission Empowerment sessions that addressed diversity, awareness, training and operations.
Visit the city’s website for more information on the Department of Neighborhoods.